Life, Landscape, Entertainment

RIEDEL Magazine, Issue 01 Spring 2025 | Text: Barbara Jahn | Reading time: 4 minutes

Living in one’s own beautiful villa has always been one of the greatest aspirations for many people. It’s no wonder, as the exclusive sense of space, the glamorous ambience and the moments of pure pleasure that such a setting offers are unbeatably desirable. Text: Barbara Jahn

Note on the edition

This article is taken from the Spring 2025 issue of RIEDEL Magazine. The furniture models featured are as at the time of publication; availability and designs may have changed since then.

Light-coloured, rounded sofa in a high-ceilinged room with a stucco ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows. — Spontaneity is in its DNA. The Mia sofa by Freifrau, with a modular design for individualists. Design: Ilja Huber, www.freifrau.com

From a Roman country estate to an architectural gem

The origin of the word ‘villa’ dates back to ancient Rome and describes a stately country estate, surrounded by its own lands, which enabled the landowning family to live independently and largely self-sufficiently. The larger and more beautiful the villa, the more prestigious its owner was regarded in society: country life was the epitome of luxury, enjoyed alongside city life.

Whilst villas were still built in a simpler and more functional style back then, the architectural genre reached its first creative peak, particularly during the Renaissance. The focus was, of course, on the building itself, which famous architects such as Andrea Palladio – particularly in the Veneto region and around Rome and Florence – transformed into true architectural gems, serving primarily as a means of prestige. What was new was that the immediate surroundings of the villa were also transformed into man-made landscapes – into gardens where plants no longer grew wild, but were trained on espaliers, accompanied by strictly linear pathways, pavilions and artificially created water features.

The origin of the word ‘villa’ dates back to ancient Rome and describes a stately country estate.

Between dream and reality

Yellow rendered villa with a mansard roof, balconies and a curved exterior staircase, surrounded by lawn and topiary. — Historic villa in Munich

No longer quite so scattered and – alongside many fashionable spa and cultural resorts, where the Emperor, amongst others, used to stay – having moved closer to urban areas, the villa once again became a symbol of social advancement in the 19th century. Artists, doctors, politicians and, of course, the old and new aristocracy commissioned the most sought-after architects of their time to build and furnish their new homes, ideally near a lake or in a picturesque landscape, where living itself could be turned into an art form.

For the building trade, incidentally, this was arguably one of the most delightful tasks, offering a chance each time to create a total work of art that also served as the finest calling card.

Inspiring role models, new ideas

Two curved light-coloured sofas facing each other on a marble floor, with a sculpturally folded stone wall behind. — Gazing at the stars. The Supermoon sofa by Minotti, inspired by the phases of the moon. Design: Giampiero Tagliaferri, www.minotti.com

Symmetrical natural stone villa behind an elongated pool lined with red armchairs and trees. — Villa with pool

Even though many centuries have passed since then, the romantic notion of a villa has stood the test of time. Whilst modern villas today are more linear, open-plan and less ornate than their predecessors, which were adorned with turrets, bay windows and gables, they are no less spectacular. The delightful water features of the Renaissance have also made a comeback in the form of swimming pools in every conceivable shape.

To this day, owning such a property holds a very special appeal, as it is the epitome of a living space meticulously composed with many sophisticated architectural details, where one can passionately savour the carefully staged sightlines from every room – from top to bottom, from inside to outside – and one is happy to do so together with one’s guests. Villas have always been illustrious venues for socialising, for they are simply far too beautiful not to share all this with others. There is certainly plenty of room for that.

Although modern villas today are more linear, open-plan and less ornate than their predecessors, which were adorned with turrets, bay windows and gables, they are no less spectacular.

An eye for the extraordinary

Blue upholstered armchair with an angular backrest next to a low wooden table in front of a bright wall of windows. — Simplicity as a strength. The ‘Nun’ armchair by Eilersen, with its striking edges and corners. Design: Jens Juul Eilersen, www.eilersen.eu

Dark green corner sofa on a light rug in a period room with herringbone parquet and stucco mouldings. — Creating a space within a space. The Aton sofa by Eilersen, named after the Egyptian sun god. Design: Jens Juul Eilersen, www.eilersen.eu

As in many of Europe’s sophisticated cities, an exceptional culture of villas has also developed in Munich – for example, in the elegant Bogenhausen district or in Nymphenburg/Gern – which reflects the tastes of the upper middle classes and remains to this day one of the most sought-after places in which to spend one’s life. This is – amongst other things – what RIEDEL’s portfolio specialises in: High, light-filled rooms, double-leaf doors, fine parquet flooring and magnificent entrance halls allow the splendour of bygone eras to be rediscovered and experienced in a whole new way – there could scarcely be a more inviting reason to make this your home.

RIEDEL’s perspective

Modern villa with a round tower and large glazed areas glowing warmly from within at dusk. — Villa at the blue hour

The article describes what defines a villa: sightlines, proportions, and the relationship between the house and the garden. In practice, this is also what determines the price. Two houses with the same living space can vary greatly in value. One merely borders the garden, whilst the other showcases it. Anyone wishing to sell should establish early on what defines the character of the house – and what buyers actually see of it.

We are here for you.

We would be happy to advise you in a personal conversation. Contact us.